PhD Marketing: Admission 2025, Eligibility, Entrance Exam, Salary, Career Scope

• Updated on 20 Aug, 2025 by Poulomi Dey

PhD Marketing is a research-intensive doctoral program. The minimum duration to complete a PhD in Marketing program is 3 years; however, it can be extended up to 6 years. Ph D Marketing focuses on consumer behaviour, digital marketing strategies, branding, and market research methodologies.

The eligibility criteria for the Ph D Marketing are that the candidate must hold a master’s degree in the relevant field with a minimum of 50-55% marks from a recognized university. The admission to the Ph.D in Marketing is based on the entrance exam scores. Students need to have valid scores in the entrance exams like UGC NET/CSIR NET/GATE, etc.

The average course fees for the Ph D in Marketing range from INR 40,000 – 80,000, depending on the institute type. Some of the famous colleges/institutes offering the PhD in Marketing are IIT Madras, IIM Bangalore, IIM Udaipur, Nirma University, Parul University, and GITAM.

PhD in Marketing Management scholars have diverse job opportunities in academia, research institutions or consulting firms. During the PhD program, candidates gain hands-on research experience that enables them to contribute significantly to marketing strategies and consumer insights. Working as a professor, the PhD scholar can earn an average salary of INR 20 LPA, depending on the experience.

Table of Contents

PhD in Marketing Highlights
What is PhD Marketing?
Why Study a PhD in Marketing?
PhD Marketing Eligibility
PhD Marketing Entrance Exams
Ph.D Marketing Top Colleges in India
PhD Marketing Admission Process 2025
PhD Marketing Syllabus
PhD in Marketing Vs Ph D in Management Course Comparison
PhD Marketing Jobs & Careers
PhD Marketing FAQs

PhD in Marketing Highlights

PhD in Marketing Management course details are mentioned below:

Category	Details
Course Name	PhD Marketing
Duration	3-6 years
Eligibility	Master’s degree in Marketing or related fields from a recognized university.
Admission Process	Entrance Exam/Merit-based, followed by a Personal Interview.
Entrance Exams	CSIR-UGC NET/UGC NET/GATE, etc.
Average Course Fee	INR 30,000 - INR 1,00,000
Career Prospects	Marketing Professor, Market Research Analyst, Brand Manager, Digital Marketing Head, Consultant, etc.
Average Package (0-5 years experience)	INR 3 LPA - INR 6.4 LPA
Top Institutions to Work At	IIMs, IITs, LPU, Ashoka University, etc.

What is PhD Marketing?

Ph D Marketing is a doctoral program that provides in-depth knowledge about market trends, digital marketing, consumer behaviour, and branding strategies. The PhD in Marketing program is designed in such a way that helps the candidates learn new perspectives regarding customer engagement.

Candidates with a background in marketing or management are eligible to apply for the doctoral program in marketing. With the advancement of digital marketing tools, Ph D Marketing holders have the opportunity for long-term growth in their careers. Further, a PhD in Marketing holder can earn up to INR 20 LPA depending on the job role and experience.

Why Study a PhD in Marketing?

PhD in Marketing is a prestigious qualification for individuals having an interest in market research and consumer behaviour. The PhD Program is curated in such a way that candidates learn analytical and research skills to analyze market trends and marketing innovations.

A candidate with a PhD degree in marketing can contribute more to the field by publishing research papers or developing marketing models. Further, scholars with PhD in marketing can collaborate with research firms to enhance consumer insights and business strategies.

PhD Marketing Eligibility

Given below is the detailed eligibility criteria for the Ph.D in Marketing. Student must meet a certain criteria in order to pursue the Ph D in Marketing course:

A candidate must have completed a Master’s degree in Marketing/Management, or a related field such as Economics, Business Administration, or Finance from a recognized university.
The minimum marks required are usually 55% aggregate or an equivalent grade in the qualifying examination. Candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/Differently-abled categories are generally given a 5% relaxation as per UGC norms.
Many universities require the candidate to have a valid score in national-level entrance exams such as UGC-NET/CSIR-NET/GATE, or university-specific Ph.D. entrance tests.

PhD Marketing Entrance Exams

Admission to the Ph.D in Marketing is based on the entrance exam scores. Given below are some entrance exams, in which students need to have a valid score.

Entrances	Registration Date (Tentative)	Exam Date (Tentative)	Application Fees
UGC NET 2026	April - May 2026	June 2026	General: INR 1,150 OBC-NCL/EWS: INR 600 SC/ST/PWD: INR 325
GATE 2026	September 2025	February 2026	Female/SC/ST/PWD Candidates Registration Fee: INR 900 INR 1800 for all candidates, including foreign nationals Extended registration period with late fee (INR 1400, INR 2300)
CSIR NET 2026	June 2026	July 2026	General/EWS: INR 1150 OBC-NCL: INR 600 SC/ST/PWD: INR 325

Ph.D Marketing Top Colleges in India

Candidates looking for admission to Ph D Marketing can check out the top colleges listed below:

College Name	Location	NIRF Ranking 2024	Total Course Fee/Stipend
IIT Madras	Chennai	1 (Overall)	INR 41,000
IIM Bangalore	Bangalore	2 (Management)	INR 42,000 (stipend)/Month
IIM Udaipur	Udaipur	22 (Management)	INR 50,000 (stipend)/Month
Nirma University	Ahmedabad	101-150 (University)	INR 40,000
Parul University	Greater Noida	101-150 (University)	INR 1,00,000
GITAM	Hyderabad	-	INR 30,000
Shailesh J. Mehta School of Management	Mumbai	-	INR 80,200

PhD Marketing Admission Process 2025

The PhD Marketing admission process is online for most universities. Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria can fill out the online application through the official website.

For reference, the Ph D Marketing admission process at IIM Bangalore is mentioned below:

Step 1: A Master’s (or integrated Master’s) / PG Diploma / CA-ICWA-CS / or a 4-year Bachelor’s, with the required marks. It’s a full-time, 5-year doctoral program.

Step 2: Pick one accepted test: Apply with CAT / GMAT / GRE / GATE / JRF-NET / IIMB Test (Marketing accepts CAT, GMAT, GRE, GATE, or IIMB Test). Choose one score to submit.

Step 3: (If using GMAT/GRE) Send official scores: Ask ETS to send your official GMAT/GRE score to IIM Bangalore and upload the score copy in the application.

Step 4: Register and fill the online application: Go to IIMB’s PhD application portal, create an account, and select Marketing as your area (you may choose up to two areas—mark primary/secondary).

Step 5: Prepare and upload documents: Photo, test score report, mark sheets (10th, 12th, UG, PG), Statement of Purpose tailored to Marketing, category certificate (if any), and any CV/publications. Invite referees through the portal (they submit recommendations online—don’t upload scans yourself).

Step 6: Pay the fees & submit: Application fee: INR 1000 (one area) or INR 1500 (two areas). If you choose the IIMB Test, pay the extra INR 1200 test fee. Submit before the stated deadline.

Step 7: Watch for shortlist email: Applications are screened by the Marketing area using academics, test score, recommendations/SOP, and research potential. Marketing has no written area test.

Step 8: Shortlisted candidates are interviewed (usually in person). The panel checks communication, motivation for research, and conceptual clarity in Marketing.

Step 9: Final selection: Offers are based on a mix of factors: your test score, academics, work experience (if any), and interview performance. You’ll receive an official offer if selected.

Step 10: Accept the offer, then attend IIMB’s Preparatory Course (held before registration) and complete registration formalities as instructed.

PhD Marketing Syllabus

The curriculum for the PhD in Marketing Management is almost similar for the majority of the colleges. However, the syllabus of the PhD in Marketing offered by the Nirma University is mentioned below:

Core Subjects	Details
Marketing Models	Focuses on quantitative models used in marketing literature.
Marketing Theory	Covers foundational theories in marketing.
Theories in Consumer Behaviour	Explores psychological aspects of consumer behaviour.
Advances in Retail Management	Studies modern retail management practices.
Research Methodology	Teaches methods for designing and conducting research.
Statistics	Provides statistical techniques for data analysis.

Elective Subjects	Details
Brand and Product Management	Covers strategies for managing brands and products.
Supply Chain Management	Examines the management of supply chains.
Marketing and Public Policy	Discusses the intersection of marketing and public policy.

PhD in Marketing Vs Ph D in Management Course Comparison

Given below is the detailed eligibility criteria for the PhD in Marketing and the Ph D in Management for the students:

Aspect	Ph.D. in Marketing	Ph.D. in Management
Level of Study	Doctoral (research specialization in marketing)	Doctoral (research specialization in overall management & business studies)
Duration	3 – 5 years	3 – 5 years
Eligibility	Master’s in Marketing/Management with 55%+, entrance exam + interview	Master’s in Management/Commerce/Economics with 55%+, entrance exam + interview
Focus Area	Consumer behavior, branding, digital marketing, market analytics, advertising strategies	Organizational behavior, HR, strategy, operations, leadership, and finance
Learning Outcome	Produces scholars in marketing research and consumer-driven strategies	Prepares researchers in broad areas of management and policy-making
Career Opportunities	Marketing Professor, Research Scientist, Consultant, Policy Advisor	Management Professor, Corporate Researcher, Business Consultant, Policy Maker
Average Salary Range	INR 8 LPA – INR 15 LPA	INR 8 LPA – INR 16 LPA

PhD Marketing Jobs & Careers

Ph D Marketing professionals can explore several job opportunities. Individuals with a PhD in Marketing are highly valued in the job market as they have strong analytical and research skills. The average package of some of the job roles is mentioned below:

Job Role	Average Salary (per annum)	Years of Experience	Job Description
Marketing Manager	INR 3,02,000	5-10 years	Plans and executes marketing campaigns and monitors market trends.
Brand Manager	INR 8,00,000 - INR 15,00,000	5-10 years	Oversees brand development, positioning, and marketing strategies.
Market Research Analyst	INR 4,00,000 - INR 8,00,000	2-5 years	Analyses market trends, conducts research, and provides insights for marketing strategies.
Marketing Communications Leader	INR 6,00,000 - INR 12,00,000	5-10 years	Develops and implements communication strategies across different marketing channels.
Assistant Professor (Marketing)	INR 6,49,458	0-5 years	Teaches marketing courses, conducts research, and participates in academic activities.
Marketing Executive	INR 3,00,000 - INR 6,00,000	0-5 years	Assists in marketing campaigns, manages social media, and supports marketing teams.
New Product Manager	INR 8,00,000 - INR 15,00,000	5-10 years	Develops strategies for launching new products and managing their lifecycle.
International Marketing Manager	INR 10,00,000 - INR 20,00,000	5-10 years	Oversees marketing strategies for international markets.

PhD Marketing FAQs

What financial aid is available at IIM for the PhD in Marketing program?

IIM offers a monthly stipend for five years to students enrolled in the PhD marketing program. Candidates are exempted from tuition fees at IIM. However, several grants are available for the students.

Is it worth getting a PhD in Marketing?

A PhD in Marketing is an advanced degree that is highly valuable for candidates interested in marketing. The PhD program provides in-depth knowledge about market trends and consumer behaviour. However, for candidates interested in research-oriented jobs, a PhD in Marketing is worth it.

Why is a PhD so difficult?

A PhD degree seems difficult as it requires dedication and critical thinking ability. A PhD candidate is required to submit an original research report that requires the collection of data, analysis of the trend, etc. This process is time-consuming and thus PhD seems difficult.

Can I pursue a PhD in Marketing from the UK?

Yes. Candidates interested in pursuing a PhD in marketing from the UK. Several universities in the United Kingdom offer PhD programs to Indian students. Some of the universities are the University of Birmingham, the University of Hull, the University of Kent, Lancaster University, and many more.